(Rewriting my original post to make my point more explicitly clear)
Introduction
Something that is often discussed on the issue with re-uploading lots. I am not here to accuse anyone, or to imply any moral issues with this. The fact remains that by uploading to the gallery, all creators implicitly agree to have their uploads freely distributed by anyone who wants to. It remains up to the person who downloads gallery creations to decide what to do.
Maybe there are philosophical and moral implications, but that's another debate and frankly something I want to avoid. What I do want to highlight today is another issue that is often ignored, but I think it leads to a few issues in the gallery that should be addressed.
"Case Study" (Not nearly comprehensive enough to have any statistical or scientific value, but interesting nonetheless)
A few random searches and sorting by "Popular Now" yields these results
What we see here, is that many of the top weekly downloads are simply re-uploaded lots of already popular creations. The way the gallery UI works, is that uploads are arranged in 2 rows of 3. Upon closer inspection, one can see a division of download count between the 2nd row (since it appears on the "front page") and the 3rd row (does not appear on the "front page") Moreover, there is a nontrivial division between the download count between each subsequent row. So position in the gallery actually does matter. This leads us to an issue. If re-uploaded lots are taking up the top spots, it makes it less likely for new original uploads to be seen by the community. This makes it harder for newcomers to be noticed, and gives incentive for people to simply re-upload lots while discouraging people from making an effort to make new stuff.
So how is this different from the usual "XXX stole my stuff"?
Let me reiterate. This isn't about what a creator might feel about his or her creations being re-uploaded. The problem I am trying to address is everyone who uses the gallery is effectively a third party who is negatively affected by re-uploaded lots, whether they are trying to get noticed in the gallery or if they simply want something completely new. This secondary effect is independent to the original creator and the re-uploader, and completely unrelated to any debate on the possible moral implications (or lack thereof) of re-uploading.
Keywords: externalities, social costWhy Does this Matter to You?As a Creator
Pretty self explanatory. Whether or not you really care about credit to the original creator, it is still nice to know people enjoy your creations.
As a Downloader
A lot of times these re-uploads are easily found when sorted by "Most Popular" and having them also show up in the "Popular Now" is redundant. Redundancy is incompatible with variety. Having more variety is good for everyone.
My Suggestion
In my opinion, the gallery should serve 2 purposes:
- To promote sharing - does this very well
- To promote creativity - does this in theory, but the problem I am trying to address hinders it
The gallery sorting options are severely lacking, and this is an issue that has been brought up in different contexts. While the sheer number of uploads may cause logistical difficulties in overhauling the gallery, I think it would be beneficial if there was an option to sort by "Original Only" similar to how there is a way to filter lots with custom content, or maxis favorites. In addition, the "Original By" tag should be more resistant to being removed.
This means, it will be easier to filter out re-uploaded lots and let original work get more attention from the community. People are still free to re-upload things, since there are practical reasons for doing so such as storage purposes or they are proud of a particular renovation, but it discourages individuals who continuously re-upload completely unaltered lots solely for trying to take credit from other people's work. There are varying opinions on this subject matter, but at the very least, it's reasonable to say that this type of behavior is disrespectful to both creators and the community at large.
(Sorry for the long post. But give me a break here. I spent 4 years of college and eventually also 6 years of grad school writing research proposals. It's pretty much second nature at this point...)
TL;DR Re-uploaded lots can crowd out newer original work, and discourages creativity. Better sorting options to highlight original work can help with this issue.
Comments
I don't think I have done this but I often store my own stuff to the gallery (don't care if it's downloaded or not) so I can remove my tray in game since the tray is known to cause a great deal of lag.
I use the gallery cloud for storage. Humbled by anyone who would want my stuff, but before I download anything I do check if that is the original creator then go over and look at original creator's work. If it's the very same I download the original if it's changed and I like the changed version better I download the new one and don't feel it's stolen. Because they modified something better to my liking.
That's the way it is, even in my own creations which I know they take apart my houses, use my rooms in their own creations, they are easy to spot many times.
And what's with the gallery set-up?
I'm totally confused how the gallery works. It's a mess. Sometimes I'll type the name of my creations into the search bar and it'll take me directly to what I uploaded. Other times, it'll say "it doesn't exist" or something. I'll then try the # option and again, it's a hit or miss.
☆゚.*・。゚ Follow me on the gallery ☆゚.*・。゚ Origin ID: Missmagoo2
O(≧▽≦)O
(I work with CC so make sure you check that box to see my "hidden" content!)
L'uinversSims profile: https://luniversims.fr/profile/46983-missmagoo2/
There should be an entire thread of shame - especially if they are repeat offenders.
I vote we take them down - nuke them from orbit.
Why turn the other cheek?
This is imo the proper way to handle re-uploads.
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I like that idea a lot -- that would especially be good for people who play on multiple computers (maybe they've got an iMac at home and a Windows PC for traveling/college use) but want to at least share content even if they have different saves active on each computer. A check box for "Private" that would keep it from showing up on Gallery searches, but you could still see, would be a great addition. (Not sure who handles Gallery features but maybe @SimGuruDrake could pass along this suggestion? Please give credit to @Cinebar because I don't want to be accused of stealing the idea )
I've only uploaded remodels of Maxis created lots, mostly base game lots where I went in and added basements where I could for additional living space (I'm a fan of basement gyms, and a basement is a great place to store collectibles). If I remodel another creator's work, I don't re-upload it but save it for my own use only.
Fun must be always -- Tomas Hertl (San Jose Sharks hockey player)
It's against forum rules to do so.
Thing is, I'm not actually against re-uploading per se. If someone downloads something, makes a few changes, and re-uploads for storage or as a remodel, it's pretty obvious since it has a different price in-game to the original.
What I don't like is going to a profile and all their top uploads are re-uploaded lots with no changes to them. I actually am following a few of these repeat offenders for the sole purpose of calling them out.
But mostly I am annoyed that these stolen lots get more downloads than genuinely interesting original work.
and sometimes it's hard as 🐸🐸🐸🐸 to tell esp. since i don't visit the gallery often
(◡‿◡✿)
Which will probably end up being buried by re-uploaded lots anyway...so...
The original posters name stays with the re-upload. And if someone doesn't want there work used then it's very simple, don't put it on the gallery. When I post my creations I put a note to please give me credit if they re-upload. This is a game and technically everything we make and upload to the gallery is property then of EA. Since I'm an adult I'm not going to go bat-carp-crazy if someone uses my creation w/o giving me credit. Like I stated - "IT'S A GAME"
Wow, you really going to do that, do it and see what happens - you do know it's big time against the rules.
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Personally, I find it a bit ridiculous how people are so uptight over who is doing what. The terms of service are if you share it, it belongs to EA and the community at large to do what they please with. If you want to be stingy, then don't share your stuff. I have known since TS1 that once my houses and anything else is available to the public, it's open season. They are able to do as they please with it. I actually thought the point of it was to share, not to become instafamous.
And to be honest...when I used to run a website and it fell into obscurity after I stopped playing TS2 and then went back to TS2 after years...I was very, very happy to find all those reuploads of my houses and recolors.
I'm not angry actually, just an economist who wanted to do a bit of a thought experiment one Saturday morning because my week at work wasn't plum enough.
The point isn't really about the original creator being mad, or sad, or indifferent, it's that re-uploads impose an additional externality that no one talks about. I find this type of stuff interesting.
Examples of online bullying include, but are not limited to:
• Identity theft
• Identity fraud
^Those are the rules.
Stealing the work of others is identity fraud.
I am declaring it - who is going to argue that?
EDIT:
In addititon:
Those found to be engaging in such activity on the Forums, on player profile walls, on the Gallery or in private message chats, will be dealt with severely. Examples of online bullying include, but are not limited to....
IT COVERS THE GALLERY - end of story.
Quoting a post is technically naming and shaming.
When you quote someone, it retains what was said - even if they edit their post.
I recently was actually surprised that I had 14 downloads on a challenge house that I posted over a year ago. I didn't expect it to be in the gallery limelight for that length of time.
I don't know if my posted houses have been uploaded, because I never bothered to check. I look at imitation as being an indication that someone else thought your work was good.
Because people want to share their creations they put hours into for other people and it hurts seeing someone steal what you made.
Reupload is only okay if the person gets credited.
you should try bringing this point up at the next UN meeting
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Actually no it doesn't cover the gallery. For one what is uploaded to the gallery is not owned ore even copywrite by the creator. EA/Maxis owned the rights. So one can scream stolen all they want but legally it isn't. Improper morel conduct yes, but nothing illegal has been done. EA/Maxis don't care, they NEVER have and they NEVER will. Heck I remember back in TS1 loads of my CC would stop working because Maxis would take the mesh from a creator and put into expansion packs. The mesh would be recoded just enough so that the CC the mesh went with didn't work and only the ugly crap that came with EP would. There was this one site that it happened so much that they just stopped. I can't recall what the name of it was something like BNX or BHX. It was an Asian site that much I do know.
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I say we rise like an army - a movement - an international species - nation to nation - ocean to ocean - internationally and worldwide - to protect our fellow gallery members - to fight the mother of all wars (excluding TS4 Pets).
Well, it is something to do on a rainy day.
You took the part about the Gallery out of context. Using a build from the Gallery and re-uploading is not identify theft or fraud. As more than one person has stated, it is all property of EA and they have no problem with us using what is in the gallery the way we want to.
@SimGuruDrake - am I wrong?
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Taking a break from the sims for a while!